Victorians urged to prepare now for forecast severe wind event

Community members across Victoria are being encouraged to take proactive steps to prepare their homes for potential storms, with Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers bracing for severe winds forecast across much of the state this week.

Damaging wind gusts of more than 100km/h are possible throughout Wednesday, 22 October, with the state’s southwest, Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas and West and South Gippsland among the most at-risk of severe storms developing, particularly in coastal areas.

Locations such as Melbourne’s Eastern Ranges and parts of Gippsland’s Latrobe Valley are among a number of inland areas which could also see elevated winds, with the Bureau of Meteorology anticipating a low-pressure system will move east across the state throughout Wednesday.

While VICSES volunteers are prepared and highly-trained to provide emergency assistance to communities, Victorians are being encouraged to take preparatory action to limit their likelihood of requiring emergency support if severe winds eventuate.

By safely securing loose outdoor items such as trampolines, umbrellas and outdoor furniture, community members can reduce the risk of these items becoming projectiles in high winds.

Severe winds also have the capacity to damage and topple trees or impact powerlines, which could create hazardous road conditions in some areas of the state. Community members are encouraged to limit travel if dangerous conditions develop and to exercise caution if travel is necessary, particularly in heavily wooded areas.

With adverse weather expected to develop on Wednesday, now is the time to prepare your property by proactively trimming overhanging branches to limit the risk of tree fall damage and park vehicles undercover or away from trees wherever possible.

Victorians can stay informed of their storm risk by downloading the VicEmergency mobile app and establishing their own personal watch zone to be alerted when emergency warnings are issued.

Community members can also stay up-to-date by visiting bom.vic.gov.au/warnings.

If you require VICSES emergency assistance, call 132 500.

To find out more about how to prepare for storms this Victorian high-risk weather season, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/be-storm-smart.

Quotes attributable to David Baker, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations:

“These forecast storms have the capacity to carry significant winds which could severely impact communities and properties throughout Victoria.

“By preparing effectively for a storm event, Victorians can limit their risk and ensure our highly-skilled volunteers are available to assist those community members most in need of emergency assistance.

“Now’s the time to download the VicEmergency app, stay up-to-date with warnings and think proactively about how best to stay safe this high-risk weather season.”